Monday, November 2, 2020

• Pastor Tony Rea

For those who might not know, I have two grandkids—a granddaughter and a grandson. Audriana is eleven years old and Giovanni is five. 

When Audri, a.k.a. The Princess, was born, she immediately captured my heart; it didn’t take long for her to become the apple of my eye. I mean what’s not to love about a beautiful little baby girl who I would describe as sugar and spice and everything nice? Audri was energetic; she had spunk. Even at a very young age, her determined personality was compelling and dynamic. Needless to say, Audri was very special to me from the moment she was born.

Enter Giovanni James, a uniquely handsome baby with blond hair. From day one you could just tell Gio was all boy, much different than his sister—but definitely not snips and snails and puppy dog tails. Gio was sweet and adorable, and even though he loved to break stuff (like his papa), he was a happy baby and easy to cuddle. Gio was extremely talkative for a boy and possessed a charming personality. His character was magnetic; even before his first birthday, he already had charisma. Once again, just as it was with Audri, my heart was quickly smitten.

Well one day we were babysitting both kids and decided to take them shopping. We strapped them into their car seats, and at that time Gio was two years old. He had a little toy he was playing with, and he was just sitting there extremely quiet—uninvolved and uninterested in what we were talking to Audri about (or so it seemed). As we made our way to the store, plans were being discussed for a special overnight stay at our house with just Audri. At seven years old, Audri was already into making lists and schedules so she and Nonna laid out the plan including activities, a menu, items needed for baking, and sleeping arrangements. As the three of us talked among ourselves, finalizing the plan that didn’t include Gio, all of a sudden from the back seat came this squeaky little voice, “What about me guys? What about me?”

Immediately, I busted out laughing. I could not believe Gio had been listening to our conversation the entire time, and at two years old—two years mind you—he was already vying for equal Papa and Nonna time. Nonna assured him he would get his opportunity as well, but Gio would not let it go. He wanted to hear all about a plan that was as detailed and sophisticated as the one we were putting together with Audri. I was both impressed and astonished by his persistence. 

There’s a story in the Bible that’s found in the gospel of Luke. The whole reason Jesus told this story was to teach us to be persistent in prayer and never give up. Here’s the story…

Luke 18:2-8a TPT 

“In a certain town there was a civil judge, a thick-skinned and godless man who had no fear of others’ opinions. And there was a poor widow in that town who kept pleading with the judge, ‘Grant me justice and protect me against my oppressor!’

He ignored her pleas for quite some time, but she kept asking. Eventually he said to himself, ‘This widow keeps annoying me, demanding her rights, and I’m tired of listening to her. Even though I’m not a religious man and don’t care about the opinions of others, I’ll just get her off my back by answering her claims for justice, and I’ll rule in her favor. Then she’ll leave me alone.’”

The Lord continued, “Did you hear what the ungodly judge said—that he would answer her persistent request? Don’t you know that God, the true judge, will grant justice to all of His chosen ones who cry out to Him night and day? He will pour out His Spirit upon them. He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for. God will give swift justice to those who don’t give up. So be ever praying, ever expecting, just like the widow was with the judge.”

As you review this incredible story about the importance of prayer, can you hear the widow saying, “Your honor, what about me? What about me?” 

Jesus not only sided with this woman, He commended her for her faith and expectation. In like manner, Jesus gives us permission to make our personal requests known to Him. So many believers think it’s unspiritual or maybe even somewhat selfish to appeal to the Lord on our own behalf. Nothing could be further from the truth. God knows we have needs, He knows about them before we even ask. God desires to hear from His children and does not mind when we cry out to Him. 

As part of the model prayer Jesus gave us—often referred to as the Lord’s Prayer—Jesus said when you pray, pray this way: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Another way to say that is, “What about me Lord?”

Hebrews 4:16 

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.